Busy September

September was CRAZY in the best possible way. I rehearsed and performed in three separate projects over the course of 30 days. Talk about a full plate. First, I had the privilege of appearing in an excerpt from the play KNOTTED by Joanna Garner at Cleveland Public Theatre‘s annual benefit gala, Pandemonium. Co-starring Liz Conway and directed by Beth Wood, we performed in rep with two other short pieces on CPT’s church stage for a revolving crowd of Pandemonium revelers. 

(With Liz Conway in KNOTTED at Cleveland Public Theatre – Pandemonium 2017. Photo by Kate Klotzbach.)

Next up was CHILDREN’S LETTERS TO SATAN (AND OTHER HORRIBLE SCRIBBLINGS) at Blank Canvas Theatre, a collection of hilarious short plays written and directed by a favorite colleague and dear friend, John Busser. CHILDREN’S LETTERS was part of the company’s Factory Series, which showcases new works by local playwrights. We had a wonderful audience response (the last two performances were sold out!), and it was a really fun project to be a part of.

(Production photos from CHILDREN’S LETTERS TO SATAN at Blank Canvas Theatre.)

Finally, I capped off the month by tackling one of my bucket list roles, Becca in RABBIT HOLE by David Lindsay-Abaire, in a staged reading produced by Cleveland Actors’ Play Date. I worked alongside an a wonderfully talented cast, directed by the brilliant Elaine Feagler. It was an incredibly emotional but incredibly rewarding way to finish off my crazy month of theater.

(The cast and of RABBIT HOLE with director, Elaine Feagler. Photo by Jeremy Lublin.)

Pandemonium 2017 at Cleveland Public Theatre

 

It’s the Cleveland theater party of the year, and I get to be a part of it!

I’ll be performing in a short piece from the play KNOTTED by Joanna Garner, opposite the amazingly talented Liz Conway and directed by the equally talented Beth Wood. We’ll be performing three times over the course of the evening in CPT’s church space.

If you’ve never been to Pandemonium, it’s an experience like no other. The entire Cleveland Public Theatre campus becomes a “choose your own adventure” filled with theater, music, dance, performance art…a little something for everyone! Plus, there’s yummy local food & drink and a dance party to cap it all off. 

The event is CPT’s annual fundraising benefit, and all proceeds go toward supporting the company’s artistic work and education programs. For more information and tickets, visit the CPT website.

The Film is Finished!

Post-production is complete for my short film, A FAR MORE PLEASING SOUND, and it has been uploaded to FilmFreeway! Time for festival submissions!

Learn more about the film here or follow us on Twitter & Instagram. 

New Headshots

I had the immense privilege of shooting with Chicago-based photographer (and Cleveland native), Sebastian Orr, during one of his recent visits back to the CLE. We shot at the Rockport Square Firehouse in Lakewood, which not only provided a cool backdrop, but also has a rich theater history of its own. Years ago, the building served as main headquarters and eventually the costume shop for Great Lakes Theater. 

The proofs look amazing! I couldn’t be happier with Sebastian’s work, and it’s going to be very hard to choose. Once I do make my final selections, the new headshots will be the inspiration for a new look & feel to the website. In the meantime, enjoy this behind the scenes sneak peek of our session.

Also, huge shout-out to my wonderful make-up artist (and friend), Karen Siat for styling me that day. We’ve worked together several times, and I cannot recommend her enough!

Children’s Letters to Satan (and Other Horrible Scribblings) at Blank Canvas Theatre 

I’m pleased to announce that I will be appearing in CHILDREN’S LETTERS TO SATAN (AND OTHER HORRIBLE SCRIBBLINGS), an evening of one act plays written by the wonderfully talented Cleveland actor/playwright, John Busser. The show is being produced as part of Blank Canvas Theatre‘s Factory Series, and performances run from September 14th-16th. Click here for more information or to purchase tickets. Hope to see you there!

Marilyn Bianchi Kids’ Playwriting Festival at Dobama Theater!

What an honor and a privilege it was to be a part of the Marilyn Bianchi Kids’ Playwriting Festival at Dobama Theatre this year! The oldest festival of it’s kind in the U.S., it’s become a Dobama tradition, and it was such a blast to both perform and witness the work of an amazingly talented group of young playwrights! I played “Mrs. Reyes” in MARKET MAYHEM, a play about a store where the customer is always wrong. It was written by seventh grade winning playwright, Nancy Patel, and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with in the future.

Production photos from MARKET MAYHEM by Steve Wagner

With fellow cast member, Kim Woodward, our director, T. Paul Lowry, and playwright, Nancy Patel 

Final week to support A FAR MORE PLEASING SOUND
on Indiegogo!

This is the final week of the Indiegogo campaign for my very first original short film, A FAR MORE PLEASING SOUND, a sweet story about a woman who steps outside her comfort zone, faces a fear, and finds her voice. You can learn more about the campaign and check out a sneak peek video here!

Press for In the Next Room, or the vibrator play

Check out Cleveland performing arts blogger Kate Klotzbach’s piece on the Cleveland Actors’ Play Date staged reading of IN THE NEXT ROOM, OR THE VIBRATOR PLAY by Sarah Ruhl! Read the article here.

The reading takes place tonight at 8:00 p.m. Rockport Square Firehouse, 1422 Hopkins Ave. in Lakewood. Doors at 7:30 p.m. By donation – simply pay what you can at the door (cash only).

In the Next Room, or the vibrator play

Excited to announce that I will be playing the role of Sabrina Daldry in a one-night-only staged reading of IN THE NEXT ROOM, OR THE VIBRATOR PLAY by Sarah Ruhl, presented by Cleveland Actors’ Play Date. This has been a dream role of mine for quit some time, and I’m excited to share this piece with an audience!

Saturday, September 17th, 2016
8:00 p.m. (doors open at 7:30)
Rockport Square Firehouse
1422 Hopkins Ave.
Lakewood, OH 44107
Pay What You Can (cash only)

*presented in arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.

My very first original short film!

I’ve been hard at work on my first short film project. This is something I have been wanting to do for a while, and I decided that 2016 would be the year I finally make it happen!

The film is called A FAR MORE PLEASING SOUND, and it centers around a woman named Frances, who’s discomfort with the sound of her voice has left her afraid to speak in public. Prompted by the death of a beloved actor with a very distinctive sound (as well as some coaxing from family), she decides to sign up for a Shakespeare “sonnet slam” as a way to face her fear. It’s a story about self-acceptance and stepping outside our comfort zones. It’s also a nod and tribute to the talent & voice of my favorite actor, the incomparable (and greatly missed) Alan Rickman.

The film has been shot, and we are now in post-production. I recently launched an Indiegogo campaign to raise finishing funds. You can check it out (plus get a sneak peek of the film) here!